Cigarette lighter



Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE ,1

CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed April 23, 1947 3 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR.CHARLESRMORsE Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE CIGARETTE LIGHTER 5 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed April 23, 1947 6 m 2 m x m 1%! 1 /1 E u NI 7 6 y 5 1 1 9 a W 5 mm 1 0 8 WM U m 1 9 08 & m M 6 \y n H m 3 0 a a IN V EN TOR.

x m p a CHA RL Sept. 5, 1950 c. P. MORSE CIGARETTE LIGHTER 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1947 INVENTOR.

CH/ML ESP/140455 A TTORNE K Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to pyrophoric lighters for igniting cigarettes,cigars, pipes and the like and relates particularly to novelimprovements in such lighters utilizing fuel which is stored in liquidform.

.Heretofore lighters have been designed which utilized fuel stored inliquid form but they have been unsatisfactory for numerous reasons. Oneof the difficulties of such prior lighters was that the wick had one endthereof immersed in the liquid fuel and had the other end thereof atleast partially exposed to the atmosphere whereby losses due toevaporation of the fuel were considerable. Attempts have been made toprevent evaporation by providing a cap or snuffer cup for enclosing theexposed end of the wick but such devices do not entirely preventevaporation over a long period because they do not provide a hermeticseal and permit air to leak therein to cause evaporation. Also, there isa tendency that the wick becomes highly saturated with the fuel wherebythe mixture provided by the ambient air and the fuel vapors is too richto be ignited by a spark from the pyrophoric element. Attempts have alsobeen made to isolate the wick from the fuel supply while the lighterswere not in use, but this resulted in drying out of the wick causing afuel loss and was objectionable because time was required before thedried out wick again absorbed sufficient fuel to enable it to beignited.

Another difficulty of such prior lighters was that they were dangerousbecause they consti-' tuted a fire and explosion hazard. This wasbecause the space in a partially filled liquid fuel chamber contained anexplosive mixture of air and fuel vapor which could be ignited in theevent the flame of the ignited portion of the wick flashed back into thefuel chamber.

A further difficulty was that no provision was made for permittingbreathing of the fuel chamber, that is, to permit air to enter thechamber and replace the space formerly occupied by consumed fuel. Also,no such provision was made for breathing of the fuel chamber whichenabled a lighter to be safely carried at high altitudes, for example inairplanes, without having a portion of the fuel expelled from the fuelchamber through the wick due to the pressure in the fuel chamber beinggreater than the pressure of the atmosphere at high altitudes.

Still further difficulties were that of the supply of the pyrophoricelement could not be determined without removing the same from thelighter casing and that no satisfactory means have been devised fordetermining the liquid level of the fuel.

The present invention aims to provide an improved lighter of theforegoing described type which is not subject to the disadvantagesenumerated herein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighteradapted to carry liquid fuel without leakage, and which makesunnecessary the use of cotton or other absorption agent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter wherein theevaporation of fuel from the wick is eliminated or is so greatlyminimized that evaporation losses are inconsequential.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lighter utilizingliquid fuel wherein the fuel chamber has breathing means for admittingand venting air without loss of fuel.

Another object is to provide a lighter of the foregoing described typehaving means for preventing the flame of the lighter to flash back intothe fuel chamber.

Another object is to provide a pyrophoric lighter having means forvisually determining the supply of the pyrophoric element.

Another object is to provide a lighter having improved means forvisually determining the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel chamber.

A further object is to provide a lighter embodying the foregoingfeatures which is simple and economical to construct and is dependablein operation.

An advantage of the present lighter is that the wick is properlyconditioned when the lighter is not in use to provide a combustiblemixture adjacent the wick which will readily ignite when a spark of apyrophoric element is brought into contact therewith.

Another advantage is that the capacity of the lighter is increased asthere is no space wasted by cotton or other absorption agent.

Another advantage is that the exposed portion of the pyrophoric elementis not subjected to fuel vapors tending to retard the formation ofsparks when the element is abraded by a spark wheel or the like.

Another advantage is that the lighter can be safely carried in airplanesor otherwise subjected to greatly Varying atmospheric pressureconditions without danger of fuel being extruded therefrom.

Another advantage is that a single spring may be utilized to move thecover into an open posi tion, and, simultaneously, to actuate means toprevent fuel from leaking from the wick.

A. further advantage is that the user of the lighter is fully advised ofthe fuel content and the amount of pyrophoric element remaining in thelighter so that the same may be replenished at convenient times withoutthe fuel or pyrophoric element being exhausted unexpectedly or at a timewhen replenishing thereof is impossible.

Other objects and advantages of the inven tion will be apparent from thefollowing description and from the accompanying drawings which show, byway of examples, two embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a pyrophoric lighter embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating theinterior of the lighter with the cover partly raised to position meansfor permitting fuel to be absorbed by the exposed end of the wick.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustra'ting the upper portionof the lighter shown in Fig. 2 with the cover closed to position meansfor preventing the evaporation of fuel.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 on Fig.2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the" line 55 onFig. 2.

Fig. 6' is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 onFig. 5.

Fig.- '7 is an elevatiorial view of a lighter illustrating amodification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating theinterior of the lighter shown in Fig. '7 with the cover partly raised toposition means for permitting fuel to be absorbed by the exposed end of.the wick.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the upper portion ofthe lighter shown in Fig. 8 with the cover closed to position means forpreventing the evaporation of fuel.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a detail embodied in the lighter shownin Figs. 8- and 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view illustrating a modifiedform of squeezing tube in the closed position.

Fig; 12 is a plan view taken along the line |2|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11 showing the tube in the openposition.

Fig. 14 is a view taken along the line |4|4 of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6thereof, there is shown a pyrophoric lighter It! generally comprising acasing H, a top wall member i2 secured in the upper end of the casingand a cover 14' pivotally mounted by a hinge l5 secured to the top wallmember i2 adjacent the upper end of the casing at one side thereof. Theinterior of the casing is adapted to serve as a fuel supply chamher forstoring liquid fuel therein.

The bottom wall of the casing has a threaded aperture l6 serving as afuel refilling opening for the fuel chamber and a threaded plug H isremovably secured in this aperture to serve as a closure; The inner endof the plug I! may be recessed to receive a clip IQ for holding sparepyrophoric elements. The bottom wall of the casing has a second threadedaperture l9 serving as an opening for replenishing the pyrophoricelement and a threaded plug is removably securedtherein. The front andrear walls of the casing each have a pair of vertical openings or slotstherein, the slots 2| being longer than the other slots 22 (Fig. 1). Theslots 2| serve as sight means for visually ob- 4 serving the liquid fuellevel and the slots 22 serve as sight means for visually determining thesupply of the pyrophoric element as will be described in detailhereinafter.

The top wall member |2 at one side is formed with a pair of spaced lugs24 (Figs. 2 and 6) between which a spark wheel 25 is rotatably mountedon a pin 26 supported by the lugs 24. An aperture 21 extends through thetop wall member l2 beneath the spark wheel for receiving a pyrophoricelement 29 adapted to be engaged by the spark wheel to produce sparks.

The apertures I9 and 2! are in vertical align" ment with each other andare in a vertical plane passing through the slots 22, and are eachprovided with a recess or enlarged bore 38 for receiving cylindricalportions 3| of a member 32, (Figs. 2 and 4) formed of transparent glass,plastic material or the like.

The member 32 has an outwardly projecting portion 34 at each sidethereof conforming to the shape of the slots 22 and disposed therein,and has a passage 35 extending through the cylindrical portions 3| forestablishing communication between the apertures l9 and 21. Thepyrophoric element is adapted to be inserted through the lower apertureI9 and to pass through the passage 35 to the upper aperture 2?. Afollower 36 is positioned in the passage beneath the pyroph'oric elementand a spring 3! positioned between the plug 20 and the follower urgesthe latter upwardly to cause the pyrophoric element frictionally toengage the spark wheel.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the follower and slots 22 areof such dimensions so related that the lower end of the follower isvisible through the slots 22 while a portion of the pyrophoric elementhas not been consumed and disappears when the last portion of thepyrophoric element is about to be consumed, whereby the upper edge ofthe slots 22 cooperate with the lower end of the follower to serve asindex means.

The transparent member 32 is further provided with a tubular or hollowportion 39 adjacent and parallel to the passage 35. This portion isspaced from the top wall member l2 and the bottom wall of the casing andhas a passage 48 extending therethrough for receiving liquid fuel storedin the chamber. The portion 39 is in a vertical plane passing throughthe slots 2| and has an outwardly projecting portion 4| at each sidethereof conforming to the shape of the slots 2| and disposed therein,whereby the liquid fuel level in the fuel chamber is indicated in thepassage 49 and is visible through the slots 2!.

It will be understood that the side portions 34 and 4| of the member 32are disposed in the slots 22 and 2| respectively in fluid-tightrelation. whereby leakage of the fuel through the slots is prevented.

The top wall member |2 has an aperture extending therethroughsubstantially at the middle thereof (Fig. 2) which is slightly enlargedat its lower end or the underside of the top wall member and is providedwith an annular recess 46 just above the lower end. A cylindrical memberor tube 41 formed of a resilient material, rubberlike in flexingcharacteristics and resistant to heat and to lighter fluid is mounted inthe aperture 45 and has an annular rib 49 positioned in the recess 46 tosecure the same in the aperture. The tube 41 has a central bore 50 forreceiving the upper end of a wick 5I positioned in the fuel chamber.

As illustrated herein, the upper end of the tube extends above the upperside of the top wall member I2 for the purpose about to be described,and the lower end of the tube is substantially flush with the undersideof the top wall member. By sopositioning the lower end of the tube 41,means are provided for the inlet and exit of air to and from the fuelchamber when differences in pressure occur between the interior andexterior air due to changes in temperature, barometric pressure,altitude and. the use of the fluid fuel. Air will enter and exit fromthe fuel chamber between the wick 5| and the bore 50 of the tube 41during use of the lighter in upright position, and liquid fuel cannot beforced through the tube.

In order to guard against flash back of the flame at the upper outer endof the wick into the vapor space of the fuel chamber to cause ignitionof a mixture of fuel vapor and air, a tubular member 52 formed of a finescreen or gauze surrounds the wick 5| as shown, or at least the upperend of the wick just below the underside of the top wall member I2, andhas its upper end secured to the underside of the top wall member bybrazing, welding or any other suitable manner.

In accordance with the invention, the lighter is provided with means forcompressing the wick to prevent the evaporation of fuel therefrom. Suchmeans includes the tube 41 and means for applying pressure to the tube.As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the last mentioned means comprisesan abutment or stop 55 projecting upwardly from the top wall member I2adjacent one side of the upwardly extending end of the tube 41, and aslidable member 56 having on its under side a rectangular recess 5'!(Fig. 5) provided with a surface 59 adjacent the other side of the tube41 and opposite the stop 55 for urging the tube against the stop 55 toconstrict the same and effect compression of the wick just below thefree end thereof. The side of the recess 51 opposite the surface 59 hasa surface 58 for engaging the opposite side of the abutment 55. Theslidable member 55 is further provided with an aperture 5! above therecess 51 normally in vertical alignment with the bore 58 of the tubethrough which the free upper end of the wick extends.

The slidable member 55 is mounted on the top wall member I2 for slidablemovement thereon by means of a projection BI having flat front and backguide surfaces 62 and extending upwardly through an elongated slot 64 inthe slidable member and. having its upper end peened over the slidablemember to retain the same on the top wall member.

In order to effect sliding movement of the slidable member 56, thelatter is formed with a projection 55 at its end adjacent the hinge I5of the cover I4 the outward side of which is engaged by a portion of thecover or the hinge thereof to move the slidable member into wickcompressing position when the cover is closed as shown in Fig. 3.Movement of the slidable member in an opposite direction to release thewick is effected by a spring 65 positioned between the projection BI andthe inward side of the projection 65 (Fig. 2).

A latch is provided (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) for securely locking the coverin closed position to thereby retain the slidable member 56 in wickcompressing position, which comprises a slidable spring steel member Ihaving button II at removably secured in this aperture.

one end thereof extending through a slot 12 in the cover to the exteriorof the lighter and bent up lips 13 at each side, and spring clips 14 ateach interior side of the cover adapted to be engaged by the lips I3.The member TB is slidably positioned by a member I5 fitting into agroove l6 in the base portion of the spark wheel supporting lugs 24 themember I5 having horizontal portions 11 extending over the member I5(Fig. 6).

When the button II is pushed inwardly the member "H3 is moved to causethe lips E3 to disengage the clips M allowing the cover to fly openthrough the action of the spring 65 and release the slidable memberhaving the projection 85 bearing against cover adjacent its hinge. Whenthe button is released, a spring 78 returns the slidable member iii toits initial position allowing the clips 14 to again be engaged by thelips I3 upon closing the cover.

A wind guard 23 surrounding the wick is secured to the top wall memberI2.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 10 of the drawings, there is shown a modifiedembodiment of the present invention in which corresponding parts aredesignated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 6 with theaddition of Hit. In these figures a lighter H0 is shown having a casingIII formed of transparent, liquid fuel resisting thermoplastic orthermosetting material or the like adapted to enable the user of thelighter to visually determine the amount of liquid fuel in the casing.The casing has an open end over which the skirt H3 of a sheet metal topwall member I I2 is positioned. A cover I I4 is pivotally mounted by ahinge i I5 on the top wall member at one side thereof.

The bottom wall of the casing has a threaded aperture IIB serving as afuel refilling opening for the fuel chamber and a threaded plug Iii isThe plug has a bore I05 extending longitudinally therethroughterminating at its lower end in a vent opening IfII for establishing airflow communi cation between the interior and exterior of the lighter. Aseat W2 is formed adjacent the inner end of the vent opening for a valvemember we seated by a spring I94 positioned in the bore Iiiil andretained therein by constricting the upper end of the plug. This ventarrangement is adapted to provide for breathing of the casing withoutloss of liquid fuel as previously described herein.

The bottom Wall has a second threaded aperture H9 serving as an openingfor replenishing the pyrophoric element and a threaded plug I23 isremovably secured therein.

The top wall member H2 has a wind guard i215 secured thereto which isformed with a pair of spaced lugs I24 (Figs. 8 and 9) between which aspark wheel I25 is rotatably mounted on a pin I26. An aperture I2? isformed in the top wall member beneath the spark wheel in which ismounted a tubular member I28 for receiving a pyrophoric element I29adapted to be engaged by the spark wheel.

The aperture I21 is in vertical alignment with the aperture H9 in thebottom of the casing, and the latter is formed with a recess or boreit!) for receiving the lower end of a transparent tube 335% which hasits upper end positioned into the lower end of the tubular member H23.The tube I33 has a passage Q35 extending therethrough for conveying thepyrophoric element from the opening II9 to the spark wheel. A followerI36 positioned in the passage beneath. the pyrophoric elementand aspring [31 positioned. betwen the plug I29 and the follower urges thelatter upwardly to cause the. pyrophoric element to frictionall engagethe spark wheel. 7

In. the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, the length of the.skirt I-I. 3 of the topwall member and the. length of the follower aresuch that when the pyrophoric element. isaboutto be. exhausted, thelower end of the follower is in horizontal alignment withthe lower edgeof the skirt which serves as index means tov give a visual indication ofthe supply of the pyrophoric element- The position of the follower. withrespect to the skirt can be readily observed through the transparenttube I33 and the liquid fuel may be observed through the transparentcasing H9.

The top wall member has an aperture I 35 extending therethrough.substantially at the middlethereof and a thin metallic tubular memberI41 (Fig. has its lower end. mounted in this aperture and is secured tothe top wall member for receiving the upper end of awick i5I positioned.in the fuel chamber.

In order to guard against flash back of. the flame at the outer end ofthe wick, a tubular member I52 formed of a. fine screen or gauze has itsupper end secured to the underside of the top wall member adjacent theaperture Hi5- and surrounding the upper portion of the wick within thefuel. chamber. Preferably the length of the tubular member I52 is suchthat it does, not extend. below the skirt H3 and thereby is not readilyvisible from the exterior of the lighter.

The wick compressing means in this embodiment includes the tubularmember (Fig. 1.0) which is rendered substantially resilient bylongitudinally slitting the upper end thereof to form spring fingers I53and a member are having an aperture through which the upper end of thewick extends provided with adownwardl-y facing frusto-conical surfacel54- for engaging and constricting the. spring fingers I53. The memberIE5 is mounted for tilting movement in: an aperture I63 of a resilientarm I6! having a free end IEE and an end providedwith a slot its forreceiving a rivet I19; or the like secured by the top wall member. Byreason of the slot IE9 the I81 is slidably mounted to maintain themember H55 in alignment with the wick compressing member I41.

In order to effect compression of the wick for the purposes describedherein, the underside of the cover I I4 is provided with a depending legI80, adapted to engage the free end I68 of the arm I61 and move itdownwardly when the cover is closed, whereby the surface I54 constrictsthe fingers I53 (Fig. 9). When the cover is opened (Fig. 8), the arm-Hi'! and the member I54 carried by the arm are rendered ineffective tocause constriction of the fingers I53 by a leaf spring I8I having oneend secured to the top wall member and having a free end extendingupwardly and engaging the free end of the arm IE! to raise the sameupwardly.

The lighter H0 is provided with latch means comprising a resilient latchelement I85 on the cover and a locking projection I86 on the skirt I I 3of the top wall member adapted to be engaged by the element I85 to lockthe cover in closed position. The cover is further provided with anoutwardly projecting end portion I81 above the latch element adapted tofacilitate manual engagement of the cover to open the same.

Referring to Figs 11 to 13 of the drawings, there is. shown a. modified.embodiment of the invention.

in which corresponding parts are designated by thev same reference.numerals as in Figs. 1 to 6 with the additionof 200.. In these figures amodified wick compressing member is shown formed of an oblong tube 24!having an, oblong wick opening 250. for receiving the upper end of awick 25I positioned inv the. fuel chamber. Means for compressing. thewick compressing member 241 includes an. abutment or stop 255 having aconcave surface 258 adjacent one end of the upwardly extending end ofthe member 241, and a slidable member 256- having an extension with aconcave surface 2.5.9 for urging; the. tube against the concave surface,253 of the abutmentv 255 effecting the compression of. the wick. Thewick is shown in theconipressed position in Figs. 11 and 12. It shouldbe noted that in. this position the wick assumes a shape circular insection at the point of compression. In. Figs. 13 and 14, the wick isshown in the released position. This embodiment isv advantageous in thata somewhat better seal is obtainable in the closed position, while inthe released. position better provision is made for air to, enter andexit from. the, fuel chamber between the wick 25I and, the wick opening250.

While thepresent invention has been described in connection with apocket type lighter, it will be understood that lighters in accordancewith the invention may be embodied in or combined with cigarette. cases,desk sets or the like.

From thev foregoing description it will be seen that the presentinvention provides an improved lighter of the liquid fuelv type whichhas numerous advantages. The lighter is, adapted to carry liquid, fuelwithout leakage, and without the use of. cotton or other absorptionagents. Evaporation of. liquid fuel is practically eliminated andprovisionismade for liquid level indicating means. Also, provision, ismade for visually indicating the supply of the pyrophoric element. Flashback of the flame is prevented and breathing of the fuel chamber isvprovided for. These and other features of they invention render thelighter more convenient. andserviceable. than existing lighters.Furthermore, the lighter is attractive in appearance, economical. tomanufacture, and canreadily withstand any rough usage to which it may besubjected.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with referencetov specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood. that otherembodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention.Further it is understood that the features of one form of the inventionvmay be incorporated in another form thereof if desired. Accordingly, theforms of the invention set out above should be considered asillustrative and not as. limiting the scope. of the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lighter, a casing for fuel having a wall provided withanaperture, a resilient member in said aperture having a boretherethrough, a wick in said casing having one end extending throughsaid bore, an abutment on said wall adjacent the resilient member, amember slidably mounted on said wall having a portion for engaging saidresilient member and having an aperture through which said wick extendsand being operable in a direction to constrict said resilient member tocompress said wick, and spring means for moving said slidably mountedmember in. an opposite direction.

2. In a lighter, a. casing for fuel having a wall provided with anaperture, a resilient member in said aperture having a boretherethrough, a wick in said casing having one end extending throughsaid bore, abutment means on said wall adjacent the resilient member, amember slidably mounted on said wall having a portion for engaging saidresilient member and having an aperture through which said wick extendsand being operable in a direction to constrict said resilient member tocompress said wick against the abutment means, spring means for movingsaid slidably mounted member in an opposite direction, and a coverpivotally mounted on said casing for enclosing said end of said wick andhaving means for moving said slidably mounted member into wickcompressing position upon closing thereof.

3. In a pyrophoric lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a pair ofslots therein, and a transparent member in said casing having a portionfor closing one of said slots spaced from opposite ends of said casingand provided with a passage therethrough for receiving fuel to determinethe liquid level thereof in said casing, and having a portion forclosing the other of said slots provided with a passage therethrough forreceiving a pyrophoric element.

4. In a pyrophoric lighter a casing for liquid fuel having a pair ofvertical slots in the side wall thereof and having opposed apertures inthe top and bottom walls thereof, a transparent member in said casinghaving a portion for closing one of said slots spaced from the top andbottom walls of said casing and provided with a passage therethrough forreceiving fuel, said member having a portion for closing the other ofsaid slots and a passage adjacent said last mentioned portion extendingbetween said apertures for receiving a pyrophoric element, a followerfor said element, and index means cooperating with said follower forvisually determining the consumption of the pyrophoric element.

5. In a lighter, a casing for fuel having an aperture therein, aresilient member normally of oblong section and having a passagetherethrough positioned in the aperture, a wick in said casing havingone end extending through the passage,

10 an abutment adjacent the member, and movable means for urging themember against the abutment to compress the wick.

6. In a pyrophoric lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a slot andan aperture therein, a transparent member in said casing having aportion closing said slot and having a passage for receiving apyrophoric element, a wick in said casing having a portion extendingoutwardly through said aperture, resilient means substantiallysurrounding said outwardly extending portion of the Wick and, means forconstricting said resilient means to compress the wick.

7. In a lighter, a casing for liquid fuel having a top wall providedwith an aperture and a side wall provided with a slot, a transparentmember in said casing having a portion closing said slot, a resilientmember of rubber-like material extending through said aperture, a wickhaving a portion disposed in the casing and a portion extending throughthe resilient member and means for constricting the resilient member tocompress the wick.

CHARLES P. MORSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wachtel Aug. 5, 1913 Aronson June 5,1934 Reilly Aug. 25, 1936 Harris Nov. 30, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberNumber

